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Moscucci F, Gallina S, Bucciarelli V, Aimo A, Pelà G, Cadeddu-Dessalvi C, Nodari S, Maffei S, Meloni A, Deidda M, Mercuro G, Pedrinelli R, Penco M, Sciomer S, Mattioli AV. Impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular health of women: a review by the Italian Society of Cardiology Working Group on 'gender cardiovascular diseases'. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2023; 24:e15-e23. [PMID: 36729627 PMCID: PMC10100638 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000001398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, presents with an extremely heterogeneous spectrum of symptoms and signs. COVID-19 susceptibility and mortality show a significant sex imbalance, with men being more prone to infection and showing a higher rate of hospitalization and mortality than women. In particular, cardiovascular diseases (preexistent or arising upon infection) play a central role in COVID-19 outcomes, differently in men and women. This review will discuss the potential mechanisms accounting for sex/gender influence in vulnerability to COVID-19. Such variability can be ascribed to both sex-related biological factors and sex-related behavioural traits. Sex differences in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 involve the endothelial dysfunction, the innate immune system and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Furthermore, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is involved in disease pathogenesis in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 and it shows hormone-dependent actions. The incidence of myocardial injury during COVID-19 is sex-dependent, predominantly in association with a greater degree of inflammation and coagulation disorders among men. Its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, but the main theories foresee a direct role for the ACE2 receptor, the hyperimmune response and the RAS imbalance, which may also lead to isolated presentation of COVID-19-mediated myopericarditis. Moreover, the latest evidence on cardiovascular diseases and their relationship with COVID-19 during pregnancy will be discussed. Finally, authors will analyse the prevalence of the long-covid syndrome between the two sexes and its impact on the quality of life and cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Moscucci
- Department of Clinical and Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome
| | - Sabina Gallina
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti
| | - Valentina Bucciarelli
- Department of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Ancona ‘Umberto I, G. M. Lancisi, G. Salesi’, Ancona
| | - Alberto Aimo
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa
| | - Giovanna Pelà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma
- Department of General and Specialistic Medicine, University-Hospital of Parma, Parma
| | | | - Savina Nodari
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia
| | - Silvia Maffei
- Cardiovascular and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione G Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa
| | - Martino Deidda
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari
| | - Giuseppe Mercuro
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari
| | - Roberto Pedrinelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Maria Penco
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila
| | - Susanna Sciomer
- Department of Clinical and Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome
| | - Anna Vittoria Mattioli
- Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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